Reverend Harold Thomas, Sr.

Reverend Harold Thomas, Sr. was born July 21, 1935, in Winter Haven, Florida, to the Late Mr. Samuel Romano and the Late Mrs. Gracie Thomas.  Harold attended the public schools of Polk and Hillsborough Counties.  He collected scrap metal and also was a truck driver who loved his 18 wheelers.  In later years, as we rode up and down the roads of Florida and Georgia, he took pride in the fact that he used to drive one of those 18 wheelers.  He loved the roaring sound of the Kenworth’s engine.  He told me frequently how the Lord told him that more was required of him.  He was to preach the word.  He said, “God I will help you find someone to replace me because I still have to drive my truck!”  Eventually he answered God’s call to preach his word in season and out of season.  In 1955, Harold confessed Christ and joined Mt. Olive M. B Church under the leadership of Rev. Levi Nelson.  In 1959, he united again with Mt. Olive under the leadership of Rev. Dr. C. P. Epps.   His eagerness to learn and his service to the church proved him worthy of being set aside to become a deacon.  In 1961, Harold was ordained as a deacon by Rev. Epps.  During this time, he served 14 years as Superintendent of the Mt. Olive Sunday School.  He was president of Mt. Olive Jubilee Choir for three years.  He served his church faithfully wherever he was needed until he was called into the ministry. He was called to Pastor St. John Missionary Baptist Church on May 13,1983.   Harold began his journey as Pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church for 38 1/2 years.  Never missing a service and was never late in all that time. While Pastoring he attended classes until he graduated from Florida Seminary in 1986. As Pastor of St. John, Harold held many offices in Union Number Two, the Sunday School and BTU Congress of Christian Workers, and The Union Foreign Missionary Baptist Association.  For 38 1/2 years as pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Harold took his calling seriously. He baptized new soldiers into the fold, married those who found love as God ordained, visited hospitals, nursing homes, offered prayer and comfort in times of distress and mourning and buried deceased members.  He loved food especially Dudley Fried Chicken, cakes baked by members, and the deacon’s corner was known all over Dade City for their fish frying skills as well as bar-b-que on the grill.   He was married to Rosebud Finlayson Thomas for 50 years and to this union three children were born.  Harold Thomas, Jr., Deserenia and Cynthia.  He subsequently married Bermice Mathis-Thomas on December 1, 2018.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Rosebud; Son, Harold Thomas, Jr.; and grandson, Charles Thompson Jr.  He transitioned from earth to glory peacefully surrounded by the family who cared for him. On Saturday, November 26, 2022 at 11:56 p.m. he took wings and with a short whisp of air was gone to a better place. He leaves behind a loving and devoted wife, Bermice Thomas who lovingly and very protectively cared for him until his death;  Daughters in love, Normita Woodard-Adams and husband Reginald Adams and Ivory Woodard; Granddaughter, Shabanese Barrick and husband, Christopher and Anita Blake who tirelessly supported and helped care for Reverend Thomas until his passing; Grandson, Terrance Woodard and wife, Tareva; Great-grand- daughter, Brynlee Rose Barrick who called to say “hello Papa and asked papa “if he ate all his food,” with a “good job Papa” if he managed to eat. Pastor Thomas also leaves his children, Deserenia and husband and Cynthia Briggs (Walter); One granddaughter, LaKasha Lee; Five grandsons, Robert Ford, Jr., (Brenda), Curtis Ford, Cornelius Thompson (Whitney), Randall Black, (Nadine), and Nicholas Foster;  Grand Children, Chyionne and Yari Thompson, Aubrey and Kayla Black, and Layla and Troy Foster;  One adopted daughter, Clara Cobb (Thomas); One Goddaughter, Shavara Horn;  Three Sisters, Martha Marshall, of Atlanta, GA, Dorothy Clark of St. Petersburg, FL, and  Ann Scott of Tampa, FL; Good friends who came to visit, Allen the Mechanic, Deacon James Foster and Mrs. Lisa Phillips. Sons in Christ, Reverend Brian Butler (Sonia) to whom the reins were transferred with Pastor Thomas’ blessing and God’s blessing; Reverend Eugene Kendrick (Wanda) who drove from Bradley to visit and called constantly to check on Pastor Thomas, Reverend Dr. Frank O’Harroll, Reverend Floyd Jones, Reverend Clyde Carter and Reverend  Eugene Brown who faithfully served as Pastor Thomas’ assistant.

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